The delegate from Kelantan, Che Ibrahim Muhammad, said the state government had a duty to protect the rights of Orang Asli to own land in Kelantan, just like any other race.

“We are hearing so many things about the proposed amendments to the Shariah Act. Some are even pushing for the public to accept Islamic criminal laws in the country.

“But when speaking about Orang Asli’s rights to their native land, we only refer to the Malay Reservation Enactment,” he said during the debate at the Amanah National Convention here today.

Ibrahim said PAS, as a party that claimed to uphold Islamic teachings, should not deny the Orang Asli the right to the lands they have occupied for decades.

“Where is their obligation as Muslims, which they said was the basis of their cause when they are pushing to strengthen the powers of shariah courts to punish those who commit adultery and consume alcohol?

“(They are claiming this) but at the same time they deny the Orang Asli’s right to own and occupy the land they have lived on all this while.

“I hope Amanah can look into this as we search for a solution to the plight faced by the Orang Asli community.”

The delegate from Amanah’s Youth wing also pushed for all states in the country, including Pahang, Selangor and Johor to recognise Orang Asli rights to their native land.

His statement was made in light of the stand off between the Temiar Orang Asli in Gua Musang and the Kelantan government.

The Temiar community is fighting to protect their native land in the Balah forest reserve from logging activities which began earlier this year.

Members of their community set up blockades to prevent loggers from gaining access to the land but last week, state authorities demolished the blockades and arrested the protesters.